Bachelorette Season 22 Pulled Before Premiere Amidst Controversy
The highly anticipated 22nd season of The Bachelorette, slated to kick off on March 22nd, has been abruptly cancelled by ABC. The decision, announced just days before the premiere on March 19th, came in the wake of newly surfaced video footage depicting a physical altercation between the season’s supposed lead, Taylor Frankie Paul, and her then-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, from 2023.
The move by the network signals a significant departure from the show’s usual dramatic unfolding, where tensions typically build within the mansion. In this unprecedented situation, the drama has effectively overshadowed the entire season before a single rose could even be handed out.
“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today,” a statement from Disney Entertainment Television explained to E! News, “we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.”
This cancellation marks a dramatic turn for a season that was already generating buzz for its unconventional casting choice. Taylor Frankie Paul, a divorcée and prominent figure from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, was set to bring a unique dynamic to Bachelor Nation. However, the emergence of the assault video has cast a dark shadow over her involvement and the show itself.
A Scandalous Prelude to a Non-Existent Season
The decision to cast Paul, who has been at the centre of her own reality TV drama, was a bold move by the producers, aimed at injecting further scandal into an already established franchise. While not universally popular with all Bachelor fans, the concept itself wasn’t inherently objectionable. However, this situation became unprecedented as it marked the first time an incoming Bachelorette was under investigation for an alleged domestic assault incident.
Production on the fifth season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives had previously been paused while authorities investigated Paul and Mortensen. A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department confirmed to People on March 16th that law enforcement had made contact with involved parties on February 24th and 25th, with allegations reportedly made in both directions.
Despite the ongoing investigation, The Bachelorette was initially slated to proceed as planned. This meant Paul, a mother of three – including 2-year-old son Ever with Mortensen, and daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul – was thrust back into the public spotlight amidst the swirling controversy.
On March 18th, during an appearance on Good Morning America, the 31-year-old shared the emotional toll the headlines were taking. “It’s been a heavy time to see the headlines, especially during this time of ‘The Bachelorette’ being released,” she stated. “It’s supposed to be a really exciting time.” She also indicated her intention to address the investigation when the time felt right, asserting, “I’m a person that will always speak my truth. That’s what I’m known for. So when the time is right, I will be.”
Paul’s Past and the Allegations
Taylor Frankie Paul’s reputation for candour, particularly on TikTok’s “MomTok” community, had preceded her. In a 2022 video, she revealed that her marriage to Tate Paul, which began in 2016, was ending due to issues stemming from their “soft-swinging” arrangement. She admitted to having “stepped out of that agreement,” which stipulated they would not “go all the way” with others.
She began dating Dakota Mortensen in July 2022.
Court documents obtained by E! News revealed that Paul was arrested and charged in 2023 with one count of felony aggravated assault, two counts of felony domestic violence in the presence of a child causing injury, one count of misdemeanor child abuse, and one count of misdemeanor criminal mischief. She later pleaded guilty in abeyance to the aggravated assault charge, with the understanding that it would be dismissed if she complied with the plea conditions. The remaining charges were dismissed as part of the plea deal.
Following these events, Paul and Mortensen welcomed their son Ever in March 2024. The arrest was later addressed in the September premiere of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Paul exclusively told E! News at the time that the incident marked “rock bottom” for both her and Mortensen, but that he had stood by her, understanding the complexities of their situation. She described it as a “horrible night” and expressed deep regret. At the time, they were reportedly “still working through things and therapy” and their relationship was “a lot better for sure.”
A Rocky Road to Parenthood and Public Scrutiny
A representative for Mortensen told Entertainment Weekly on March 18th that his “number one priority here is protecting Ever.” Regarding the investigation, the rep acknowledged that Mortensen was aware of the possibility of the details emerging but had chosen not to be the one to release them, as he had “always wanted a decent relationship with Taylor.”
In an interview with EW on March 17th, Paul indicated that she was not in direct contact with Mortensen at that time, but they were co-parenting Ever through third-party arrangements for pick-ups, drop-offs, and communication. She believed this was the best approach given their current inability to get along. Paul stated her reluctance to bring the issues into the public eye for the sake of her son and to avoid further complications, but noted that this was not Mortensen’s plan.
The impending premiere of The Bachelorette kept the ongoing controversy in sharp focus. Paul expressed the difficulty of moving past the public scrutiny during her GMA interview, likening the feeling to “the end of the world” when one’s life is dissected in headlines. However, she remained resolute, stating, “I’ve been here before and I got through it.”
The Bachelorette Dream Deferred
Paul had accepted the offer to be The Bachelorette due to the significant challenges of dating as a mother of three. She saw the show as an opportunity to escape her “toxic cycle” in Utah, date, and have her children visit her. She acknowledged the demanding nature of the experience but emphasized her ultimate goal of finding “the love of your life.”
When questioned about a “mystery man” featured in one of her TikToks, Paul confirmed his presence in her life but remained tight-lipped, stating, “Yes. Yeah, it’s in my life, but I can’t give away too much. That would ruin the surprise, wouldn’t it?”
However, the dream of finding love on The Bachelorette has been cut short for Taylor Frankie Paul. In a swift and decisive move, ABC has ensured that this season will not proceed, leaving fans to wonder what might have been.
